HAMMONTON – Millville High School’s softball program entered the 37th Hammonton Invitational Tournament in search of its first advancement to the second day.

In 15 years as coach, the Thunderbolts' Brooke Ewan-Dixon never faced Delsea, either.

Saturday proved a three-for-one inaugural special in the shadow of the blueberry-adorned water tower for the orange and blue. Not only did the Thunderbolts reach the semifinals and take a 7-0 win over Pinelands, they grabbed the first Hammonton Invitational title in school history against those Crusaders, 2-1.

“They played really well together, picking each other up with people who are playing way out of position than what they normally play,” Ewan-Dixon said. “I have to give a lot of credit to Rian though. Rian had like 15 hits in this tournament herself. Without her leading off, stealing, getting the hits that she did, we wouldn’t even be in the position we were in.”

The first two rounds came last Saturday and overnight rain postponed the bracket’s completion a week.

The eighth-ranked Crusaders avenged what had been their lone loss of the year in the semis with a 2-1 walk-off victory over Kingsway. They ousted Bordentown and Buena in the first and second rounds, respectively.

“We’re playing solid,” Delsea boss Scott Gutelius said. “Our two losses are to Kingsway and Millville, two very good teams and we have a lot of good wins right now so we have a lot of confidence.”

Wheeler shines

Ewan-Dixon used a rotation of Mahogany Wheeler and Sydney Shannon in the circle all season. That is, until Shannon tore the meniscus in her right leg in a 3-2 loss to Vineland last Tuesday.

The latter pitched the semifinal. Bailey Pennino took the rubber for the championship. At the plate, Parker couldn’t solve her friend.

“I felt like it was unfair, she had the advantage on me I would have liked to have the advantage on her,” joked Parker, who went 0-3. “She did a great job pitching to me. She used her corners well, mixed speeds, got me thinking in the box. I was a little off today. She did a great job.”

Wheeler admitted it helped to know the foe.

“I played Diana in my former years, I used to play with (the New Jersey) Gators,” Wheeler revealed. “So, the benefit of knowing her so much and knowing what she can hit well, things like that really factored into the whole game.”

What’s next

Millville returns to action at home Wednesday at 4 p.m. to face Egg Harbor Township, one of six games left on its schedule.

A trip to Cherokee on May 17 might be the toughest test of the remainder.

The Crusaders also have a sextet of contests left. They should be favored in each.

Both clubs stand to hold excellent position in their respective groups – the Thunderbolts in South Jersey 4 and Delsea in South Jersey 3.